Vintage motorized salesman store display automaton with changing signs

Norman Tuck wrote to share a video he made of a vintage motorized salesman figure. It belonged to his father who used it as a window display in an appliance store he owned. The figure was distributed by the White Sewing Machine company. He believes it is German made because the paper mache head is made from German newspapers. It probably dates to the 1910s.

Driven by a small electric sewing machine motor turning a worm and screw, the figure moves its eyebrows, mouth, head, and hands. It has a set of signs in the box below which it raises up. A total of five different signs are raised and lowered.

---

Self-portrait drawing machine by Aaron Kramer

Check out artist Aaron Kramer's drawing machine. Using two large cams, a parallel linkage, and a great to deal of experimentation this machine is able to draw the artist's face with a single line over the course of about 15 seconds. It is still a self-portrait if a machine draws the picture? I think so...

---

Wooden kinetic sculpture that simulates the motion of a hummingbird in flight

Derek Hugger recent wrote to let us know about his latest creation.

Derek Hugger writes:

Thought I'd share my latest and greatest with you. Colibri is a wooden kinetic sculpture that simulates the motion of a hummingbird in flight. Every element of motion has been completely mechanized, from the beating wings to the flaring tail. Intricate systems of linkages and cams bring the sculpture to life with a continuous flow of meticulously timed articulations. As each mechanism has been linked to the next, Colibri cycles through its complete range of motions by the simple turn of a crank. This project took me roughly 700 hours and contains about 400 parts.

Amazing work. Just amazing.

Woodworking plans for this project are available are here: www.derekhugger.com/colibri.html

---

The Cache Machine by Martin Smith

Check out this very inventive use for a cam-based wave machine...

From the video description:

The Cache Machine is a kinetic sculpture that adds rhythm and irony to the tradition of hiding coins in a safe place. Taking its form language from the industrial heritage of the North of England and obsolete scientific apparatus, the machine comes to life when a coin is inserted. This coin travels along a mechanically generated transverse wave that is activated by a poetic system of cams and levers. Upon reaching the end the coin is deposited, with a satisfying clang, into an eagerly awaiting collection vessel.

See more clever things by Martin Smith on his web site.

---

Working with cams and different types of cam followers

My 16 article on automaton-making for Cabaret Mechanical Theatre is now live on their web site. In this installment, I discuss different sorts of cam followers and how they can be used. The cam gets a lot of attention, but is almost without value in the absence of a cam follower. Read on to learn about the basic types, their advantages, and disadvantages.

Here is where you can read my article on Cam Followers for Automata.

---

Bussola: a large mechanical sculpture by Jennifer Townley

Check out the hypnotic majesty of this piece by Jennifer Townley titled Bussola.

From the artist's web site:

'Bussola' is named after the Italian word for 'compass', as this sculpture is inspired on one of Leonardo da Vinci's designs for such a drawing tool dating from 1514. The three-dimensional machine is built up from a collection of identical instruments that work in the same way as the original compass.

Here is where you can see more mechanical sculptures by Jennifer Townley.

[ Thanks Jim! ]

---

Scriblo - a hand-cranked handwriting automaton kit

Check out the latest creation for Shasa Bolton: a handwriting automaton called "Sciblo". Scriblo is designed to sketch simple words and pictures when you turn the handle.

Scriblo is sold as a flat-pack kit. The pieces slot together without glue. The piece can be mounted on a wall or sit on a table. The kit comes with the cams to spell "yes".

Here is where you can learn more about Scriblo, the handwriting automaton.

---

The process of creating a kinetic boxer sculpture by Aaron Kramer

Artist Aaron Kramer created this wonderful kinetic sculpture of a boxer in motion. As is his custom, he started with a mechanism and no real plan. Working with metal, and joining it by welding allowed him to change and adapt the design on the fly. Here is a 19 minute video which documents the entire fascinating process. He has provided a running caption below the image providing insights into his thoughts and process.

From the artist:

I have always liked when others produce “process” videos. It gives me an insight into their brains that the finished piece doesn’t always reveal. Making things move is not a straight-line process. It involves putting together and taking apart a million times before you get it right. I like to see that messiness. It makes me feel human. In my case it took several thousand cranks and a whole lot of welds in order to breathe life into my little figure.

Here is where you cans see more art by Aaron Kramer.

---

Squirrel! -- a mechanical dog head sculpture by Dave Johnson

Dave Johnson has done it again with this fascinating mechanical dog head. Check out the action of the on-demand attention button. It's like hand-cranked animatronics!

The dog's head is capable of movement in four directions including side-to-side, up and down, the jaw, and the ears. Each movement is conveyed via pushrod. The pushrods sit on contoured cams, which are driven by a set of gears.

From the video description:

This machine is yet another attempt to get random(ish) movement from a decidedly non-random hand crank. The 4 gear pairs that drive the cams have slightly different gear ratios, so it takes something like 100 turns of the crank before the whole sequence repeats. The ear and jaw movements are also dependent on the current yaw and pitch position, so the result is a semi-random mishmash of movement. When the Big Red Button (BRB) is pushed, it lowers the cams out of the way, and the head falls into Squirrel! position.

Johnson has very cleverly integrated a bellows on the front of the machine. The moving air serves to soften the motion of the head after the red button is released. That's a very nice subtlety that most people wouldn't notice. But watch again and imagine if that wasn't there.

Here is where you can see still photos of Dave Johnson's Squirrel!

---

Book on the 'Theory of Machines and Mechanisms' for the serious student

Time to take your engineering knowledge up a notch? Check out this book I discovered on Amazon the other day. For the non-professional engineer it may be a little weighty, but boy...it's all there! (This fourth edition is aimed at senior undergraduate or graduate students in mechanical engineering.)

Theory of Machines and Mechanisms covers the study of displacements, velocities, accelerations, and static and dynamic forces required for the proper design of mechanical linkages, cams, and geared systems. The authors present the background, notation, and nomenclature essential for students to understand the various independent technical approaches that exist in the field of mechanisms, kinematics, and dynamics.

The book includes a CD with working model animations of many figures from the text to help students visualize and comprehend their movement. A companion website for instructors provides additional information and resources, including PowerPoint-based slides of figures from the text.

Here is where you can get Theory of Machines and Mechanisms

---

Laser-cut Donkey Kong automaton by Martin Raynsford

You may recall the amazing mechanical version of the Donkey Kong arcade game I posted about a while back. Here's a simpler, fun project by the same creator, Marin Raynsford. As you can see from the video, the essence of the classic arcade game Donkey Kong has been represented as a contemporary automaton.

From Martin's web site:

The main drive mechanism is provided by the laser cut bike chain, barrels roll round the girder as if thrown by Donkey Kong. A cam and follower make Mario jump up and down in the appropriate places. I got the gear ratio slightly confused and made my second gear twice as big as need be so I duplicated the jump pattern on both halves of the gear. It was a fun little project and I learnt a lot about what not to do on future projects.

Love the wooden chain and sprockets!

See more detailed in-progress photos of the Donkey Kong automaton on Martin Rynsford's web site.

---

Artist Chris Fitch gives an in-depth explanation of the mechanics of his incredible swimming fish kinetic sculpture

Artist Chris Fitch took the time to of put together a video in which he explains the mechanics of his limited edition piece titled, Tantalus Mackerel. I don't need to say much more here, because his explanation is so good.

As for the piece, here is what Chris Fitch as to say about it:

The story of Tantalus has been, since its Greek origins, a consistently applicable metaphor for the human condition. Tantalus angered the gods by trying to feed them the flesh of his own son, passed off as ambrosia. For this, he was chained to the bottom of a lake that reached to his chin. With luscious grapes drooping from vines above his nose, starving Tantalus was unable to enjoy either food or drink, as they were pulled away whenever he reached. I won't go on about how I think this relates to American culture today, which suffers from a kind of self-inflicted hunger from unrealistic expectations. Nor will I attempt to make any connection between the story of Tantalus and our current global problem with mercury levels in deep sea fish, and how we are our own gods and are punished by our own actions when we poison our own food supply. Let me just say, instead, that this piece is about a frustrated fish trying to catch a bug.

It's an incredible piece in every way: the narrative, the artistry, the mechanics. He only made three of these beauties, and (as of this writing) one is still available. For more videos and photos of sculptures by Chris Fitch, visit http://www.chrisfitchsculpture.com.

---

YouTube Channel by Nguyen Duc Thang is brimming with awesome mechanical models in action

Nguyen Duc Thang is a mechanical engineer with doctorate located in Hue City, Vietnam.

He has used Autodesk Inventor 2008 to create all a YouTube channel FILLED with animated mechanisms. Shown above is his model for a barrel cam mechanism in which a rotational motion is converted into linear reciprocating one.

He has models for things I've never even glimpsed as a static image, much less a moving model. Check out this Archimedean spiral gear and pin gear (below). How on earth would you accomplish something like this another way? It not only reduces the speed of the rotating axle, but does so nearly in-line with the original input motion -- and all with just two interlocking parts!

He has modeled interesting cams, gears and linkages as well as, complete machines and machine tools. This is a treasure trove for the mechanically minded. Check out Nguyen Duc Thang's YouTube Channel.

[ Thanks Michael! ]

---

Spooky Love: A Danse Macabre - automaton book by Thomas Kuntz

Check out this recent work by sculptor and automaton maker, Thomas Kuntz.The beautiful leather-bound book when opened, features a pair of well-dress skeletons dancing under the moonlit sky. The music box movement, made by the renowned Reuge company, was adapted to power the scratch-built cam and lever system that makes the skeletons dance and the moon change size. Some interesting still shots towards the end of the video show some of the artist's in-process shots.

See more automata by Thomas Kuntz on his web site.

---

With One You Get Birthday Cake - kinetic sculpture by Gina Kamentsky

Here is another delightful hand-cranked contraption in the mechanical series that artist Gina calls Mechanical Confections.

As ususal, there is a satisfying assortment of mechanical components: a periodically engaging set of bevel gears; a ball bearing on a shifting incline plane; a Geneva wheel; a pair of offset cams causing two followers to toggle up and down; a chiming bell; and, of course, a spinning wooden block with various items printed on its faces -- one of which shows a birthday cake.

See more kinetic sculptures by Gina Kamentsky on her web site.

---

Joseph Walker mechanical toy features drawing artist

I've posted several times in the past about Vielmetter's drawing clown tin toy. Shown here is a toy very much like that one.

From the YouTube description;

The Drawing Artist made by Joseph Walker of Birmingham is a very rare painted and copper plated toy. Operated by winding the handle in the base, a double cam allows the seated figure to draw a portrait of a number of 19th century personalities -- in this case the cams that accompany the toy are of Gladstone and Lord Salisbury.

David Hall wrote in to provide some interesting information about the history of both toys. As it turns out, the toy shown here pre-dates the Vielmetter clown artist. It was made by Joseph Walker of Birmingham, England around 1880. It is thought that at some point in the late 19th century Vielmetter purchased the rights to the mechanism. Some evidence lies in the design of the toys themselves. Different cams can be loaded into the machines. The profile of the cam determines the picture that is drawn. The Walker drawing toy cams are interchangeable with the Vielmetter.

[ Thanks David! ]

---

Mechanical universal Turing machine uses ball bearings for memory

This charming contraption is described a "mechanical universal Turing machine". According the all-knowing Wikipedia:

A Turing machine is a hypothetical device that manipulates symbols on a strip of tape according to a table of rules. Despite its simplicity, a Turing machine can be adapted to simulate the logic of any computer algorithm, and is particularly useful in explaining the functions of a CPU inside a computer.

Here is a presentation by the maker, Jim MacArthur, describing the background of the machine. I gather the catch with this machine is that you have to assume that the length of track is infinite.

The machine was made mostly out of scrap metal and wood. The components include magnets, springs, cams and levers. It uses ball bearings as its memory. No electrical components were used, other than one small motor used to drive it.

[ Thanks Christoph! ]

---

If you were to have just one book on making Automata and Mechanical Toys, this might be the one to have

The name of this book says it all for indeed, it deals with Automata and Mechanical Toys, and it does it well. The book covers the history of automata, contemporary makers, and the construction techniques you will need to start making them yourself.

What will you find in Automata and Mechanical Toys? The chapters of the book are as follows:

1. A Brief History of Automata and Mechanical Toys
2. The Origins of Contemporary Automata
3. Tools and Materials
4. Techniques
5. Making Automaton Mechanisms
6. Theme Projects
7. Design
8. Painting and Finishing

That's pretty much everything you could ask for in book on automata.

The chapter on the history of automata is among the best short treatments of the topic, dealing with the clockwork examples from history and placing the contemporary form that is the subject of the book in context.

Each chapter is interspersed with profiles of leading automata makers, showcasing their work with many pictures and a page or two of information about the artist. The artists featured are among the best known automaton makers in the United Kingdom. You'll see profiles of Lucy Casson, Ron Fuller, John Grayson, Neil Hardy, Andy Hazell, Tim Hunkin, John Maltby, Tony Mann, Peter Markey, Ian McKay, Frank Nelson, Rodney Peppe, Robert Race, Martin Smith, Paul Spooner, Melanie Tomlinson, Douglas Wilson, Kristy Wyatt Smith, Vicki Wood, and Jan Zalud.

The photographs of automata in this book are outstanding. Printed in full color on glossy paper, you can really get a sense for the devices, their construction, and the finishes that add that artistic touch.

The section on tool and materials is quite good and provides some translation of terms for speakers of American English (e.g. a "pillar drill" is what we call a "drill press"). The sections that cover construction techniques are clear and informative. In addition, there are printed patterns for pin-wheels, ratchets, cams, and splined gears. If you are just starting out, these patterns are invaluable.

A particularly cool thing about this book is the section on the automaton mechanism test platform. The reader is given complete instructions for making commonly used mechanical components. These can then be fitted to the test platform in order to see them in action. The final product is a bit like an interactive display at a science museum. The construction and use of this platform would make a great classroom aid or science fair project.

You won't find plans for any complete automata projects in this book. For that, you'll have to turn to one of the author's other books, Making Mechanical Toys, which is a great companion volume. What you will find are instructions for how to make the components you'll need to make an automaton of your own: ratchets, pinwheels, gears, linkages, cams, cranks, a Geneva wheel, and so on. This is really useful stuff.

Somewhere between a how-to book and a coffee table treatment of the art form itself, the book may frustrate those who want to focus on just one thing or the other. But, if you love automata, want see examples by well known automata artists, and want to learn more about how to make these wonderful devices, then this book is a must-have. If you were to own just one book on automata making, this is probably the one to have.

Click here to learn more about Automata and Mechanical Toys

---

Building Wooden Machines: Gears and Gadgets for the Adventurous Woodworker -- two classic books combined in one volume

Among all of the books on how to make wooden mechanisms, two of the best and most advanced have long been the two by Alan and Gill Bridgewater: Making Wooden Mechanical Models and Making More Wooden Mechanical Models: 13 Designs With Visible Wheels, Cranks, Pistons, Cogs and Cams. Originally published in 1995 and 1999, respectively, they have become increasingly hard to find, especially the second book which now fetches high prices in the used book market.

So, it is good news to learn that the two books have been combined into a single edition titled Building Wooden Machines: Gears and Gadgets for the Adventurous Woodworker.

Not intended for automaton makers specifically -- the stately models in this book showcase the inherent beauty of basic machines themselves. Indeed, any of these working models can be taken for kinetic sculptures that would be proudly displayed by the mechanically inclined person. If we were to leave the review at that, this book would be highly recommended.

Many of mechanisms found in Building Wooden Machines can be used for automata making. The following projects in the book are decidedly useful resources for the automata maker:

• Reciprocating Engine
• Rack and Pinion Machine
• Cam Machine
• Lever and Ratchet Mechanism
• Wheel and Worm Gear Mechanism
• Bicycle Chain Machine
• The Universal Joint

In fact, most of the projects could prove useful. Certainly some element of every project could be of value. The authors have great skill in fabrication with wood. They have a lot to teach in this regard. The methods of cutting, drilling, shaping, fastening, and finishing wood mechanisms can be applied very broadly. One little forewarning: some of the projects in this book require a wood lathe.

The new combined edition contains 28 ingenious woodworking projects with visible wheels, cranks, pistons and other moving parts made of wood. Each project has step-by-step instructions and plan drawings from which to work.

The original two books cost $22 and $25 each when they were published back in the 90s. This new combined edition is selling on Amazon for less than $18 right now. This is a great value no matter how you look at it.

Here is where you can order Building Wooden Machines: Gears and Gadgets for the Adventurous Woodworker. Be sure to check out the "Click to look inside" feature to peruse all of the mechanical wooden goodness within the pages of this new edition.

---

Walter - a tinplate robot automaton by Marc Horovitz

Check out this awesome new automaton by Marc Horovitz of Sidestreet Bannerworks!

The automaton features an aging robot named Walter. When the crank is turned, Walter bends down to pick up the glasses he seems to have dropped. Sadly, he can't accomplish this task. Having knees certainly would help.

The robot figure is made of tinplate, using techniques found on the outstanding Tinplate Girl website. If you haven't checked it out yet, the site has a wealth of information about how to fabricate cool stuff with thin metal sheets.

Like many of us, Horovitz started making automata after being inspired by the work of Paul Spooner and other automaton makers associated with Cabaret Mechanical Theatre. His mechanisms are compact, elegant, and often elaborate -- not unlike Spooner's. The long cycle, subtle motions, compelling character, and witty storyline show that Horovitz has mastered the craft of contemporary automata making.

You can see more automata by Marc Horovitz on the Sidestreet Bannerworks website.

---